Our Interview with Bassist Extraordinaire Ivan Bodley

Our Marcel Proust Inspired SaintsforSinners.com Q & A

Questions and Answers Interview with

Renowned Bass Player Ivan Bodley

in New York City

January 25, 2009

Ivan Bodley hails from New York City and is an accomplished professional bass player. He recently shared the stage with Sting and Elvis Costello at the Creative Coalition Inaugural Ball on Monday, January 20, 2009, in Washington DC, in celebration of the Presidency of Barack Obama. Both the Huffington Post and Fox News covered the concert! Check it out on YouTube.


Ivan has strong New Orleans connections. He is a graduate of Tulane University and was one of the Champions of the greatest radio station on earth, WTUL, 91.1 FM on your dial. You can find out more about Ivan and hear his music by visiting his web site, www.funkboy.net or www.phunque.com or www.myspace.com/funkboy


We caught up with Ivan this past Sunday, January 25, 2009 and conducted this interview by phone. Here it is:

Rob Clemenz/SaintsforSinners.com:

Hello Ivan, thanks for agreeing to be interviewed for the www.SaintsforSinners.com Marcel Proust inspired Q & A. We’re honored to have you as our second guest. Let’s start by learning how you became a professional bass player. When did you first pick up a guitar?

Ivan Bodley:

I actually started late, by most standards. I was a Senior in High School. I became interested in playing guitar and wanted one so I worked at a Dude Ranch as a dishwasher so I could save up enough money to buy my first Fender bass guitar.

RC: Where did you first begin performing?

Ivan Bodley:

Hmmmm... I guess that was at my High School Talent Show. I remember playing “Message in a Bottle” by The Police. The audience liked it and I wound up winning the Talent Show.

RC: When did you first become acquainted with the age old saints?

Ivan Bodley:

Growing up, there really was no connection to the saints whatsoever. I basically grew up in a non-practicing Jewish or Atheist household. It wasn’t until I came down to New Orleans that I began to take notice of its culture the vast religious connection it conveys.

RC: When did you first become part of the SaintsforSinners.com family?

Ivan Bodley:

When did you start? I’d have to say I was pretty much in it from the getgo, the beginning, Day # 1.

RC: Yes, you have been a loyal pal for a very long time. Which medals have you worn?

Ivan Bodley:

(Laughing) None, really. Well you have the picture of me wearing the Guardian Angel but I just wore it for a short time and then passed it on, like you recommend on the web site. I’ve sent the medals to friends.

RC:

So you don’t even wear the medals!?

Ivan Bodley:

Yes and No. A year or so ago a friend gave me a saint Christopher medal, for protection during travel. I’m touring and on the road so much I keep that medal in my wallet. But it’s not one of yours.

RC: Which saints are you familiar with?

Ivan Bodley:

Aaron Neville introduced me to saint Jude long ago. That’s the first saint I became acquainted with. Paul Sanchez is the cat who introduced me to the SaintsforSinners.com Web site.

RC: How many saints do you think there are?

Ivan Bodley:

I have no idea. Hundreds, I guess.

RC:

Name 5 saints off the top of your head.

Ivan Bodley:

Michael, Christopher, Jude, Mark, Luke - go with the “Heavy Hitters!"

RC:

Since you have said you like sending the medals as gifts, what has the reaction been?

Ivan Bodley:

They appreciate the thoughtfulness; the personal component goes beyond the gift.

RC:

Comment on the line “It’s so hard to be a saint in the city.”

Ivan Bodley:

(Laughing) New York City. It’s a tough place to live. There’s lots of temptations. I identify with it.

RC:

How about this one, “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.”

Ivan Bodley:

I understand that. And that’s why I like what you’re doing. Some sinning is just having some fun. You’re allowing people some redemption without forcing people to feel 100% pious. It’s admirable.

RC:

Thanks, Ivan. You get it. Who do you think wrote “the saints are the sinners who keep on trying.”

Ivan Bodley:

Don’t know, it sounds Dylanesque.

RC:>
Last Question

Did you ever say the prayer that went something like this: “Anthony, Anthony, come on down, something’s lost that can’t be found!”

Ivan Bodley:

No, Rob, can’t say that I have.

Saint Joseph's Wild Rides with Fairgrounds RaceCourse Jockey Dustin Dugas

Our “Marcel Proust Inspired” www.SaintsforSinners.com Q & A

Quick Questions & Answers Interview with

http://www.FairgroundsRaceCourse.com Apprentice Jockey Dustin Joseph Dugas

New Orleans, Lousiana

January 17, 2009

DUSTIN JOSEPH DUGAS

Dustin Dugas is a new Apprentice Jockey at the Churchill Downs Fairgrounds RaceCourse in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is 16 years old and hales from Waggaman, Louisana, where he lives with his family. Dustin was formerly racing at Louisiana Downs, where he was crowned September 2008’s Rider of the Month. As we waited to conduct this interview at the Fairgrounds, Dustin was riding “Brazen Walk” to a 2nd place finish in the 3rd race with a $2.00 “Place” ticket paying $15.40.

The Jockeys came back from the 3rd Race and we waited for Dustin to catch his breath. We noticed he watched the race on replay, shaking his head in thought as the race aired on the screen above him. The other jockeys had left the room while Dustin remained, watching the finish on his own. A few moments later, he went to get freshened up and ready to talk. We took some photos and sat down to chat. He had some extra time since he was not riding again until the 6th Race, where he would be attempting to achieve his 10th 1st Place Fairgrounds Finish aboard the Christopher McLaughlin’s Maltese Cross Stables horse, “Rhyme Royal.” After we met Dustin in the Jockey’s Chambers and sat down for a chat we explained that the reason we wanted to interview him was because we noted he wears a Saint medal on his helmet and were curious about it.

Here’s our interview:

Hello, Dustin, It’s great to meet you. SaintsforSinners.com has been a loyal fan of yours ever since we detected a Saint Medal dangling from your helmet.

Let’s get started:

1.

Q: First off, how did you get interested in horse racing:

A: We always had barrel quarter horses back when I was a kid.

2.

Q: Tell us about your first horse:

A: My first was really a pony, a paint horse. (Smiling) Her name was “Splash.” She was short and fat and I had her when I was 5, 6, 7 years old.

3.

Q: Then you got your first horse?

A: (Again Smiling Broadly) It was a big white horse named “Snowball.” After that I had my Dad’s horses.

4.

Q: When we see you in the paddock it seems there is always a saint medallion hanging from your helmet. Can you tell us about that? What Saint are you wearing on your cap while racing here at the Fairgrounds?

A: Saint Joseph.

5.

Q: What is your connection to Saint Joseph?

A: It’s my middle name. I wear it for safety.

6.

Q; Tell us when and why you first began to feel connected to Saint Joseph, ands started having him race with you.

A: I have always been wearing Saint Joseph or a Crucifix or Saint Christopher since I was kid.

7.

Q: Have they ever inspired you?

A: Yes, sir!

8.

Q: How many saints do you think there are?

A: (Laughing) I have no clue!

9.

Q: Do you have any favorites besides saint Joseph and saint Christopher?

A: Not really.

10.

Q: Let’s play a game where you name the first 5 Saints that pop into your head:

A: I only know saints Joseph and Christopher. Oh and Saint Michael.

11.

Q: Do you remember ever saying the prayer that goes something like this: “Saint Anthony, Anthony, come on down; something’s lost that must be found!”

A: No, sir.

When we finished we handed Dustin http://www.saintsforsinners.com/ medal packages, one of
saint George,
the patron of horses. It was very interesting that when the package was opened the hand-painted medallion was of a
"big white horse,"
much like Dustin's childhood friend/horse, Sonwball. We also gave Dustin 3 version of our saint Joseph the Worker medals and one was just like the medal on his helmet.

We were getting ready to leave when veteran Fairgrounds Race Course Jockey Lonnie Meche appeared and we were introduced. Asked about Dustin Dugas here is what Lonnie had to say:

“It’s nice to work with one of the upcoming stars. Dustin is always very professional. He’s quiet, he pays attention, and he listens.”

Follow Up:

On his next mount after this interview, Dustin Dugas rode Trainer Harry L. Hahn, III’s and owner Christopher McLaughlin’s “Rhyme Royal” to victory in the 6th Race. He won his 10th First Place Finish at the Fairgrounds. We were, along with his Saint Joseph, with him all the way. A two dollar bet paid $ 12.60 and a two dollar 9,2,7,8 “Superfecta” paid
$23,894.20!
We were happy to cash in our winning tickets but missed on the big Superfecta payoff.

SaintsforSinners.com would like to thank Dustin Dugas,
the Fairgrounds Race Course personnel,
and jockey
Lonnie Meche,
all for being so generous with their time as we satisfied our curiousity concerning what saint medal Dustin Dugas wears.
We also thank Saint Joseph the Worker!